Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan hailed the dominant display of No.8, Luke Jacobson, after his side's 40-19 Super Rugby Trans-Tasman victory over the Brumbies.
A week after being shown a red card in the Chiefs' opening-round victory over the Force in Perth, 24-year-old Jacobson atoned in style, with a dominant display that included two tries, 11 tackles, and 15 ball carries.
And despite the early struggles to his career due to injury and concussion, Jacobson would have to consider himself incredibly unlucky if he's not to feature in All Blacks coach Ian Foster's plans later this year.
Speaking after the Chiefs' victory over the Brumbies, McMillan took time to single out Jacobson's display over Australia's Super Rugby runners-up.
"I thought he was outstanding," McMillan said.
"He's been good all year, hasn't he? And some games when he's been a little bit quiet, the ball just hasn't really gone his way.
"But he showed a clean pair of heels at times today."
However, McMillan also did his best to keep Jacobson's feet on the ground, reminding his barnstorming No.8 there are still facets of his game that need to improve.
In particular, McMillan pointed to a botched effort that saw Jacobson nearly send halfback Brad Weber in to score from the back of a scrum, only to drop the ball with the try-line in front of him.
"I'll still hit him up about the shit pass he tried to give to Webby that should have been a try," McMillan said.
"So getting better, but not perfect."
After wins in Perth and Hamilton, the Chiefs' travel schedule doesn't relent in round three of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, hitting the road again to face the Australian champion Reds in Brisbane next Saturday.
Join Newshub for live updates of the Hurricanes v Force Super Rugby Trans-Tasman clash from 7:05pm Friday.
